Take A Brow contains two brow powders, a mini brow brush, and a clear brow wax in one slim compact. The brow powders have a silky-smooth texture and are easy to work with, though each has a slight shine. The various sets present shade options for blondes, redheads, and brunettes, whether you want to use one or blend two to best match your brow color. As for the clear wax, it is unusually gummy (likely due to the mix of castor oil with cornstarch) and not preferred over setting your brows with a clear gel or a touch of hairspray. The included brush is functional despite its small size, but is still best for touch-ups.

Weaknesses: Limited, average skin-care options; average to problematic concealers; unimpressive eyelining and brow-enhancing options; the Lotsa Lip products; the mascaras are a mixed bag with mostly disappointing results; no brushes.

This Los Angeles–based independent cosmetics company launched in 1990 and is the brainchild of makeup artist Carol Shaw (Lorac is "Carol" spelled backwards). It is well-publicized that Shaw has a long list of celebrity clients, but then so do all of the other makeup artists who have their own products lines—there are a lot of famous faces that need attention—so that boast is hardly unique. Compared to competitors Bobbi Brown, Trish McEvoy, or Stila, Lorac doesn't offer the same caliber of foundation colors or the array of products, yet most of what's available is impressive. The company holds its own when it comes to blush, eyeshadow, and lipstick. You will find that, for the most part, the older, established products perform better and are more attractive than many of Shaw's latest inventions. In particular, the latest lipstick, lip gloss, concealer, and waterproof mascara are true disappointments. Lorac hasn't done a great job on the innovation and performance side of the business since the last edition of this book, while her competition (particularly Stila and Laura Mercier) continues to consistently impress. There are still plenty of reasons to shop this line, but focus on the long-standing products rather than on what's new.

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